customary

adjective

ˈkə-stə-ˌmer-ē How to pronounce customary (audio)
Definition of customarynext
1
as in usual
accepted, used, or practiced by most people the customary response to the greeting "How are you?" is "Fine, thanks"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation the customary toasting of the bride and groom at their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word customary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of customary are accustomed, habitual, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for customary?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When is it sensible to use habitual instead of customary?

In some situations, the words habitual and customary are roughly equivalent. However, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When might usual be a better fit than customary?

While the synonyms usual and customary are close in meaning, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than customary?

The meanings of wonted and customary largely overlap; however, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of customary This year's winner: a customary lei kui or sewn lei. —Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 18 May 2025 Following that, in some of the least surprising developments of the night, Chris Stapleton reprised his customary win as male vocalist of the year; Old Dominion won group of the year for the eighth year in a row; and veterans Brooks & Dunn returned to the winners’ circle as duo of the year. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 May 2025 Trump removed his shoes during his visit, as is customary in mosques, and was escorted by Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. —Aya Batrawy, NPR, 15 May 2025 The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for customary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for customary
  1. usual
  2. traditional
  3. conventional
  4. current
Adjective
  • Despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites, the Northern Irishman performed poorly in the event, which many attribute to his need to play with a different driver than usual.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • When the Grand National Tour stopped in Arizona on Wednesday (May 27), SZA was doing her usual pre-show ritual of greeting fans outside during her NOT Beauty pop-up.
    — Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Candidates are largely barred from traditional campaigning, a policy to try to level the playing field among candidates with different campaign funds.
    — Jack Nicas, New York Times, 31 May 2025
  • Best Hotels & Resorts Skamania Lodge Surrounded by 175 acres of woodlands, the grand Skamania Lodge offers a choose-your-own-adventure style of stay with traditional lodge rooms, cabins, glamping tents, and elevated tree houses.
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • For more details on the nature of conventional AI versus AGI and ASI, see my analysis at the link here.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The image - more grainy than conventional high-resolution photographs and in black and white - appears to show the debris of several aircraft located along the runway of the Belaya military air base or parked in protective revetments nearby.
    — Tom Balmforth, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Definition of conventional
Adjective
  • First, audit your current encryption methods and ensure that your infrastructure can manage these new algorithms.
    — Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The situation reflects legal and operational challenges under the current immigration policy enforcement, highlighting recurring disputes over the right to due process and the treatment of non-citizens subject to deportation.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Definition of current

Browse Nearby Words

customarily
customary
custom-built
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Cite this Entry

“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/customary. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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